Giving up the day job to ride (?)

[3eme]

Sometimes (no, often) I get really sick of my job and wonder what it would be like to do something that I actually like doing. I’ve been tossing the idea around to give up the day job, for a while at least, and become a groom / rider. Is that crazy?

I’ve never been happy in my current career, and started thinking about this crazy plan a couple of years ago, after spending a couple of weeks on the show circuit grooming / riding as a favor to a Grand Prix rider that I know. At first, I thought I must be NUTS to do that with my vacation time, but I LOVED every single stinking moment. I had a blast! (And this guy worked me really hard and was not even the least bit easy to please)

Sometimes, I wonder what it would be like to maybe take a year or two off and do this full time, while I’m still (?) young enough.

My reasons are simple — hate what I’m doing now, would love to improve my riding, and just love spending time with horses.

Has anyone ever done such a career change (or break)? I’d love to hear some opinions, advice, stories and such while I sit here chained to my desk, dreaming…

me and my crazy ideas…

[CAH]

Well Canter, we currently have five people that have a “permanent” room with a stall out back. To qualify, one must

1. Be over the age of 40 (Gray 17HTB has made us waive this particular rule).
2. Be married - with no small children (they change the equation. Marriage is to a non horsie spouse.
3. Work full time, supporting the horse habit.
4. Male or female (as a matter of fact, males are currently outnumbering the females)
5. Must hear the following statements on a regular basis…
   Your putting THAT in my washing machine - I don’t think so!! (good for sweaty saddle blankets)
   Your horse’s blanket cost more than my new winter coat!!
   You would rather spend time with your horse than with me (okay…we won’t go there!)
   HOW much was your horse’s vet (blacksmith) bill???
   WHAT TIME are you coming home???

You get the picture!!!

[Janet]

<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by devildog20:
I am fully prepared for “reality” I have lived it before. And I am prepared to live it again. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Methinks the lady doth protest too much.

[hp1]

3eme - I too would agree with those who encourage you to follow your interest.

I had a chance to work pretty much full time in the equine industry. I did wellness programing for a health insurance company and got downsized with the rest of the wellness department. (I thought a health insuror would be interested in healthy members, but but what do I know? )
I spent about a year doing an assortment of part time and looking for the right full time job. During this time I spent week day mornings as a working student for my trainer. I enjoyed it and wouldn’t trade experience I got. It was hard work, but fun, and there were things I really liked about it. There were also things I did not like at all. For a number of reasons I knew I didn’t want to be in the business full time. So as Janet suggested try it, but don’t burn any bridges.

wicky what you wrote here is so true . . . it seems it should be published in a book somewhere because its good advice.

" . . .do what you think is best for you, don’t be surprised if it turns out differently than you thought, learn from whatever happens, don’t have regrets because what you are regreting is your fantasy of what the other choice MIGHT have been, not really how it WOULD have been. Remember, you can always make a different choice later and change again."

3eme, good luck with whatever you choose to do.

CAH thanks for the info. about Divorce Acres, while I don’t wish to move in, I too could use a weekend retreat!

[Cactuskate]

Oh 3eme, as I sit here at my desk, also boring, and hear your thoughts, I want to say “FOR GOODNESS SAKE DO IT!”

Let me speak from the perspective fo a fifty year old woman. I have all the trappings of middle age. I have a great husband, a mortgage, two car payments, a loving dog, a wily cat, the most wonderful 5 yr od TB gelding, the board bills and care costs to go with. Aside from totally abandoning my life and taking on an alter ego or new identity, there is,pardon me, no way in h*ll I could do what you are entertaining at this point in my life.

But in my wildest dreams that is where I would truly be. All the cliches in the world ARE true. It isn’t dress rehersal, you only go around once, if you aren’t happy then why?. But the one I like the best is:

Just do it!

No one is nailing your foot to the floor where you are going? Or locking you out of the world as you now know it, right? Yes Todo, you can come back to that desk and that life.

Don’t be fifty and someday say, I wonder “what” if I had taken that chance.

[Astraled]

I decided not to work in this industry after being a working student because of the money issue. I’d have never be able to afford the caliber of horse I require on the salary and I have to have my own horses. I’m just not happy soley riding other people’s horses.I get too attached . I did enjoy it though! And I occasionally miss it. Good luck in whatever you decide.

[Black_Market_Radio]

Well, he too is a horse person and we both take the marriage thing seriously! He wouldn’t make me give up the horse thing, it’s not his charactor. And I know you are all going to say that you said the same thing, but to us, marriage is something sacred and not to be taken lightly! I didn’t take your posts as negative, just wanted to clarify a little.

And I am not one to spend a ton of money on the horse, and nor would I sacrafice my family for my horse. I am one who “bargain shops” and only get the vital things that I need, I am not one for all the hoopla!

[lisa]

I say go for it.

Remember: you only have one life. Don’t wake up in 20 years and say, “What if…?” or “Why didn’t I…”.

I am almost 38, have a husband, two children, three horses, a dog, a mortgage, car payments, etc., etc. And, until recently, a job I absolutely HATED. I have a great life, but I have visions of chucking everything to be a working student.

Don’t wait until life gets in the way of your dreams…

[CAH]

We had no idea Divorce Acres would be so popular…

Actually the whole concept started innocently enough. One night during a group lesson that lasted well past 9:30 PM, several of us were bemoaning the fact that we would ALL be in trouble for, once again, returning home at a late hour. Mind you, all of us are professionals that work 40 plus hours a week in demanding careers. No small children at home. One thing led to another and the idea of "Divorce Acres Farm was born. A place for us to go when we & our horses are homeless because we have kicked out. To this day, when one of us must leave early or can’t attend a horse related show or function, we say it is because we are staying at the farm. We all understand.

Yes, you may visit for a weekend. Gray 17HTB has been visiting often lately.

[Inverness]

I’ll second and third that Cactuskate! When I was 21 I moved to Colorado and became a ski bum for 3 years. I haven’t a regret in the world!

[Black_Market_Radio]

3eme, I am just biting it and waiting until I am married until I can do the same thing! As soon as I get married, or soon after, I can cut back to part time and possibly not work at all and devote my time to my riding and my horse! I can’t wait! If you want to do it, go fir it! Do they have sponsorships in France? Maybe you could sponser out one of your babies!

[Regalmeans]

<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by CAH:
[B]Well Canter, we currently have five people that have a “permanent” room with a stall out back. To qualify, one must

1. Be over the age of 40 (Gray 17HTB has made us waive this particular rule).
2. Be married - with no small children (they change the equation. Marriage is to a non horsie spouse.
3. Work full time, supporting the horse habit.
4. Male or female (as a matter of fact, males are currently outnumbering the females)
5. Must hear the following statements on a regular basis…
   Your putting THAT in my washing machine - I don’t think so!! (good for sweaty saddle blankets)
   Your horse’s blanket cost more than my new winter coat!!
   You would rather spend time with your horse than with me (okay…we won’t go there!)
   HOW much was your horse’s vet (blacksmith) bill???
   WHAT TIME are you coming home???

You get the picture!!!

[/B]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Hey CAH - is there a haven somewhere for teens/young adults who have non horsey parents?? I hear the one about the washing machine ALL the time. And also “you’re spending all your $ on that?” “Why does the horse need supplements/vet treatment/etc AGAIN?”

Sarah

[Inverness]

<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by CAH:
[B]

Someday I will tell you about Divorce Acres Farm…a haven where us married folk can go when our spouses threaten us for things like spending too much money or time with the horses. [/B]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Can I come visit?

[Black_Market_Radio]

<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Janet:
Methinks the lady doth protest too much.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Excuse me? What does this mean?

And thank you for standing up for me astraled!

[horsegirl]

Unless you have an exorbetent (sp?) amount of money stashed away with not too many payment responsiblities - go for it - just don’t expect to get paid anything unless you are really, really, really good and sometimes that doesn’t seem to matter - its who you know that matters in certain areas. not to shoot you down though - if you’re doing it out of enjoyment and moneys not an issue - it could be good and I wish you well!

[CAH]

<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by devildog20:
3eme, I am just biting it and waiting until I am married until I can do the same thing! As soon as I get married, or soon after, I can cut back to part time and possibly not work at all and devote my time to my riding and my horse! I can’t wait! <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hmmm…that’s what they ALL say - just wait!!

[JRG]

I say go for it. But plan for it. Save a little money, line up something for you to do so that you can get the feeling of flying without a net.

I did it. Quite the track and drove around the states. I had had enough and wanted to just leave everything behind. I ended up meething my current husband in my travels. If I had a regret, it would be that it wasn’t long enough but I wouldn’t trade my hubby for the world.

Just before my father passed away, he knew I wasn’t happy in my current situation and he set off a chain reaction that I am forever thankful for. He asked me “how much can you stand to loose to gain your sanity?” My answer, “All of it.” I waited till everything was settled and packed my truck and left.

[Daphnes_hair_dresser]

I also suffer from the responsibilities of middle age. As a dose of unresponsibility, I am trying to talk a few friends of mine into going with me to Adult horse camp next summer for 2 weeks.

Follow your dream. If it doesn’t work out, you are young enough to start over.

[DebS]

Well, I don’t know anyone who could call having 2 kids, a mortgage, a 45 hour work week, and 2 ancient cars - EASY!

Sometimes, most times, I’d rather be doing stalls.

I’ve always worked to ride, and loved every minute of it, though at a MUCH lower level than you’re considering.

Go for it. Damn the torpedos and full speed ahead. DD that goes for you, too.

RE: Divorce acres. I have a two day clinic coming up and may need a spot on the couch if that’s possible. I’ll bring a pizza and a 6 pack of Mike’s Hard Lemonade.

[B.G.M_heidi]

I’d second, third and fourth the advice of others - do it. In all likelihood, in 25 years time, not pursuing a dream will be the greater regret. As long as you are financially secure enough to keep and maintain your horses, I’d encourage you to take the opportunity to follow your gut.

With respect to career/life changes, at this point in life, I know many, many people who have similarly reached the conclusion that they weren’t happy playing by the career rules and decided to do something completely unexpected. I, for one, shut down my company to raise my third child rather than abdicate that responsibility to a nanny; a girlfriend gave up a V.P. post at a bank to dedicate her time to flying (airplanes, that is); another friend in L.A. left a high position in the film industry to be a tour guide at Grand Canyon. BTW, my soon-to-be-pilot girlfriend didn’t pursue her dream until she was 48 and is now confronted with the likelihood that her age will temper her aspirations - i.e. she’ll never be a pilot for one of the large airlines flying an Airbus 340.

You are young enough, and I’m sure talented enough, that should need ever dictate, you can always return to the financial community.

Good luck! BTW, would you pursue a groom position in France or would you return to the States?